English Naming and Translation Problems of University Names

This paper examines issues concerning the English naming and translation of university names.The study reveals two predominant formats employed in university names: "X University" and "University of X".These formats are further classified based on the naming origins, namely location and non-location.Universities named after non-location usually adopt the "X University" format.For universities named after location, although grammatical rules endorse both formats, pragmatic principles give unconditional preference to the format of "University of X".Based on Kachru’s three concentric circles theory of English (1985), this paper identifies problems in the practice of university naming and translation, and subsequently provides practical suggestions for improvement.